People share heartbreaking stories from last Christmas after news of the ‘Downing Street party’

People from across Greater Manchester are sharing their own heartbreaking stories from Christmas 2020 following the news of Downing Street’s alleged Christmas party.

Last night, ITV News released a damning video that showed the Prime Minister’s former spokesperson Allegra Stratton on December 22nd last year laughing and joking about a so-called ‘Christmas party’, which she said was a ‘business meeting’ with no social distancing.

Laughing and gesturing to the camera, Stratton says: “This is recorded … This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced.”

Since the video was released, people across the nation have been reacting in horror, particularly those from Greater Manchester, who were living under strict Tier 3 restrictions at the time. 

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham tweeted simply: “To think of all the sacrifices they asked people in Greater Manchester to make.”

Throughout the day, thousands of people have been replying to the mayor’s tweet with their own heartbreaking stories of loss, separation and isolation from Christmas 2020. 

Twitter user and NHS worker @annienic123 wrote: “We missed our beloved auntie’s funeral. I worked every day in the NHS and it didn’t cross our minds to have a Christmas party. We worked, we wore masks, we took our lateral flow tests, we came home and showered and prayed we weren’t bringing the virus home to our families.”

User @NorthAngry also replied: “I stuck to the rules. I didn’t see my Dad. He was in a care home with dementia. On that day we had a ‘window visit’ and he was worried that I was cold and why couldn’t I come in for a cuppa. He died in April. I cannot forgive this.”

Claire B explained how she couldn’t be there to support her mum following a terminal cancer diagnosis, writing: “I couldn’t accompany my Mother on her journey to hospital, or be with her when she received terminal cancer diagnosis, only getting to visit her on 29th December, because of an act of astute clinical confidence by a skilled nurse in Aintree (remember there?).”

Respiratory nurse Morag C recalled a shift over Christmas, writing: “Don’t even go there… I lost my Mum and Sons granda [sic] to covid. I’m a respiratory nurse and worked last Christmas night. We were short-staffed, despite my Boss’ best efforts, I never got home till 10am. I will NEVER forget what I seen that night.”

Twitter user Tammy shared her heartbreak over her dad dying alone, writing: “My Dad spent last Christmas alone and died New Year’s Day alone due to this government’s rules whilst they was having a party #govermentparty @BorisJohnson absolutely shameful #Disgraceful.”

The Prime Minister has profusely denied that any party took place.